334 GARDEN MANAGEMENT. 



the strongest plants ; for the better it is, the less likely it is to grow strong and 

 large. Large roots are not esteemed, being deficient in flavour. One of tho 

 best sorts for ordinary culture is Cottell's blood-red : it is of fine colour, and 

 not apt to grow too large. Of equal merit is Henderson's pine-apple, 



940. The Spanish Beet is usually sown in !March, and allowed to grow large : 

 the leaves are eaten in the same way as spinach. It is a useful summer crop, 

 because spinach soon runs to seed in that season, when this beet makes a very 

 good substitute, and may be grown advantageously by those who desire to 

 have a continuous supply of vegetables throughout the season. 



94T, Cabbages. — The first week in this month is a good time for sowing the 

 various sorts of Brassicce for main crop, selecting the beginning of the month 

 for the meridian of London, and a fortnight later north of Cheshire and 

 Lancaster. If sown earlier, except for early use, they are apt to make a deal 

 of superfluous growth, and grow up lanky, in place of being firm and stocky. 

 The treatment for. all is nearly the same. Let the seed-beds be open, and 

 away from trees or other shelter, and tolerably dry, but not parched, at the 

 time of sowing. !Mark out for each sort its allotted space ; give plenty of 

 room, — at least a square rod ; sow the seed broadcast regularly over the ground, 

 so that they do not come up thicker in one part than another ; tread it well in, 

 unless the ground is wet and binding ; in that case stand in the alleys, rake- 

 level, and pat the surface with a piece of flat board : this will press the seed in 

 •without hardening the ground. If dry enough to tread, rake the surface even. 

 If the weather is dry, and continue so, it will be necessary to give the seed- 

 bed a copious watering to keep it moist, so that the surface does not cake. 

 When the seed is up, keep the beds moist, so as to promote vigorous growth ;; 

 gfiving a liberal dusting of lime, salt, or soot now and then, which will benefit 

 the young plants, and prevent the attacks of the fly. When large enough to 

 handle, thin them, and prick out those drawn, in nursery-beds five or six inches 

 apart from each other. 



942. Peas for late crops may be sown any time this month. The tall-growing 

 sorts are best to sow now, and if sticks are plentiful, these should have the 

 preference. If on good soil, or well mulched, the yield is far above ail other 

 sorts ; the Ne plus 7dtra yields an enormous crop : sow them six or seven feet, 

 apart from row to row, or 10 or 12 feet, where crops of cabbages can be sown 

 between the rows. Any of the wrinkled or marrow peas do well sown at this 

 time : earth-up, mulch, and stake those sufficiently advanced. Good peas for 

 sowing at this time are Hair's Dwarf Green Mammoth, Knight's Dwarf 

 Green, British Queen, Tail White Mammothj Ke 2^lus ultra, Knight's Tall 

 Green. The first two grow about three feet high, the others about 

 six feet. 



943, Salading. — Lettuce should be sown for succession ; the large Drum- 

 head, or Maltese, does well sown at this time ; but cos lettuces are generally 

 preferred, as being most crisp ; but any sort will do sown at this season. 

 Chicory is used both as a salad in spring and also the roots as a vegetable : it 

 should be sown late this month and the two following. Sow in shallow drills 



